La Mirada High School Period 3- Intermediate Band Course Introduction and Syllabus. Fall Semester 2016/Spring Semester 2017

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1 Period 3- Intermediate Band- 1 La Mirada High School Period 3- Intermediate Band Course Introduction and Syllabus Fall Semester 2016/Spring Semester 2017 Geena Biondi, Teacher and Director of Music ext gbiondi@nlmusd.k12.ca.us MS. BIONDI S COURSES OF STUDY: Band/PE (Matador Marching Band and Color Guard) (FALL SEMESTER) Wind Ensemble (SPRING SEMESTER) AP Music Theory Jazz Ensemble Intermediate Band Music Fundamentals Beginning Choir VAPA Professional Applications Welcome to the LMHS Music Department! I look forward to helping create, foster, and advance the art of the formal and academic study of music and good character development. In order to provide for the most productive and efficient environment possible, it is important that classroom rules and procedures are set into place and followed. It is essential to note that a student s success is dependent upon the student s level of commitment, desire, communication, and effort. It is my desire and professional objective to assist all students in succeeding to the best of their ability. Classroom Rules: 1. Above all, remember three principles: a. Humans first. As such, treat yourself, your peers, and your teachers in a way in which you would want to be treated. Be truthful to yourself and others. b. Students second. As such, do your best to keep up with your grades in all the classes that you take. Keep lines of communication open, and know what your assignments entail. c. Musicians third. As such, do your best to know how music is written and how your instrument is played. Music can be as academic as anything else, and you will fare better if you strive for the formal understanding and mastery of the subject matter. 2. Come to class prepared and on time.

2 Period 3- Intermediate Band- 2 a. Students will have a pencil, their music, and their instrument in good working condition present and ready for use at every rehearsal, unless the Agenda board says otherwise. Students will be ready to rehearse within the first ten minutes of the class period. 3. No eating or drinking in the Band Room. a. Only bottled water and liquids in sealable bottles will be permitted during class time and in the Band Room. 4. The following items are not allowed unless we are using them for instructional purposes: a. Cell phones b. Items not directly related to classroom instruction c. Mp3 or other music player (though we WILL use them for classroom instruction!) Items will be confiscated at the teacher s discretion, and returned at her convenience. 5. Use hall passes sparingly and only when necessary. On a serious note, students should not ask to use the restroom more than one time per week. There is a detailed Activity Log posted in the classroom to help track students whereabouts at all times. Course Description: The Intermediate (Concert) Band is a traditional/ legitimate/classical type of group, with typical band instrumentation. The ensemble will study music for wind band of a Grade 2-3 difficulty level, in addition to a series of method book exercises. Students will develop extensive performance and listening skills in order to evaluate their individual performance and how it relates to the whole and be able to make creative choices to artistically express the music. The emphasis will be on instrumental technique, musical concepts, theory, and individual achievement. Advanced students may be given the opportunity to help prepare and conduct the ensemble. The ensemble may or may not give public performances, depending on the size of the group each season, although members will be allowed to sit with either the Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble for the regularly-scheduled Winter and Spring Concerts. Students will also attend at least two (2) professional performances each semester. Performances must be presented by collegiate-level students and/or professional musicians and must be accompanied by a combination of ticket stub, concert program, photograph, and concert report when being submitted for a grade. The Intermediate (Concert) Band will also provide students with the opportunities to conduct, learn and perform on a new instrument, and integrate the concept of Technology in the Classroom through the use of the SmartMusic and other software programs, which allows students to perform a complete library of musical literature of varying grade and difficulty levels with as few or as many students as are available. Course Requirements: Students must have at least one year of musical experience, or approval from the Director. Required Supplies: One 3-Ring Notebook with Lined Paper and One Folder Pencils Suitable for Taking Notes and Completing Assignments Manuscript Paper (Available in booklet form at any Sam Ash Music or Major Music Retailer, or for free at This type of paper will be used in exercises

3 Period 3- Intermediate Band- 3 relating to melodic and harmonic dictation, interpretation of rhythm, as well as in the composition of simple dictations, compositions, and other original works. Please note that for the most part students are required to supply their own instruments. Large Brass and Percussion, as well as other musical instruments are available in a very small quantity and will only be issued to students on a first come-first serve basis. When looking to either rent or purchase a quality musical instrument, please contact Imperial Band Instruments, Sam Ash Music, La Mirada Music, or La Habra Music. As always, Ms. Biondi is available to help answer questions and provide feedback. When students are interested in researching and purchasing instruments, accessories, sheet music, or need to make repairs, they should visit in particular the following music stores: Imperial Band Instruments (IBI) East Imperial Highway, La Mirada, Ca Sam Ash Music Artesia Blvd., Cerritos, Ca Sam Ash Music Gale Ave., City of Industry, Ca La Habra Music Center W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, Ca The Woodwind and Brasswind- Effort: Students will be encouraged to do their very best at all times. Participation in daily activities is mandatory. Students will respect themselves, others, and all property while in the LMHS Band Room. Please feel free to call or write with any questions, comments, or concerns. Grading Policy: Grades for ensemble classes are based on the following criteria: Class Work- 30% Class Work consists of specific listening and performance assignments, allowing students to become familiar with the distinct and diverse musical genres, scale exercises, namely the passing of all 12 scales in the Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, and other various modes. Musical Progress- 40% Students will be expected to uphold the integrity of the ensemble to the best of their ability. Whereas the Class Work grade will be based on all lessons that involve Music Theory and the reading of the language of Music, the Musical Progress grade will be based on all lessons involving a specific musical piece. Students will be tested periodically on their individual parts, to ensure that they are in fact making musical progress. The ensemble will prepare between 3 and 10 pieces of music for performance per year, and will sight-read many more to help further appeal to and foster musical ability! Furthermore, individual and/or small group performance tests will be given at least twice a month, where students will be asked to perform their assigned parts to the various Warm-Ups, exercises, and even prepared pieces for public performance. Participation- 20% It is absolutely imperative that students are in attendance at scheduled performances. Participation is counted as being an active accounted member at performance events. Performances that are not listed on the regular calendar will be announced at least two weeks in advance of the date. Some school and community events will be announced fewer than two weeks in advance. If that is the case, Ms. Biondi will use her best professional discretion to excuse students with previous commitments. (Dress Code/Uniform: Please be aware that the following attire is to be worn during every public performance of the LMHS Concert Ensemble- Concert Black (Any combination of an outfit that is consistently and mostly black: dress shirt, sweater, blouse, paired with slacks, skirt, or dress. At no time will t-shirts, jeans, or flip-slop type sandals be considered part of Concert Black. Please also adhere to the nothing to low or too high rule (Ladies, mostly.)

4 Period 3- Intermediate Band- 4 Concert Attendance- 10% Students must attend two (2) live professional musical performances each semester. The performance must match the style of Music currently being studied in the course and throughout the season. For example, the performances must be given by musicians who play in the style of legitimate Concert Band or Orchestra personnel, and must feature the kinds of instruments students play during class time. Performances may take place at a college or university and may include collegiate-level musicians, or may take place at a theatre, hall, restaurant, or other venue and may include professional performers. Performances can even be performed by colleagues, alumni, or other professionals. Concert reports will be issued, and must be completed by the student, and then submitted, along with the ticket stub and concert program of the performance to Ms. Biondi for full credit. Concert attendance is to be done in a timely manner, and reports are due on or before the last day of the semester, though it is preferred that they be submitted just as soon as they can be completed. Be sure to check out local college/university, newspaper, and professional venue listings for a complete list of Upcoming Events. Another good resource is A Word About Strikes : Strikes are to be considered infractions of the procedures as established by the Instructor and Director of the Department of Music. For example, strikes may be issued for any of the following reasons, in addition to what is seen necessary by the Director: Excessive unexcused and unnecessary absences or tardies for rehearsals or performances Less-than-adequate preparation of musical material Talking out of turn and for unnecessary reasons during rehearsal Submitting paperwork items more than one day after the announced Due Date Being considered out of uniform at any performance Using profanity in front of the Director, Staff member, or Booster parent and while representing the reputation of our program leaving behind food or drink trash in any of the Band and Color Guard s common areas Sitting on the Director s stool- Don t do it!! Once an infraction has occurred, it is the expectation that a consequence will be served. The consequence will count as the strike being cleared. Consequences can include (but are not limited to): the filing of sheet music/paperwork in Director s office, performing community service to the Band and Color Guard, submitting one ream of 8.5 x 11 white copy paper, submitting a 5-pack of CD-R discs, and the possible lowering of the student s Citizenship grade. A collection of strikes on a student s behalf will be entered as a deficiency into the grade book at the end of every grading period. If more than one (1) uncleared strikes have occurred in the period of semester, the Citizenship grade will have negative effect. Please observe the following scale regarding the Citizenship grade: Citizenship Grade: Zero (0) Strikes/Zero (0) Cleared strikes- O utstanding One (1) un-cleared strike- S atisfactory Two (2) un-cleared strikes- N eeds Improvement Three (3) or more un-cleared strikes- U nsatisfactory Percent Total Equivalent A B C D F

5 Period 3- Intermediate Band- 5 Academic State Standards to be Addressed: 1.3 Proficient and Advanced: Sight-read music accurately and expressively (level of difficulty: 3-4 on a scale of 1-6.) 1.4 Proficient and Advanced: Analyze and describe the use of musical elements and expressive devices (e.g. articulation, dynamic markings) in aural examples in a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres, styles, and cultures. 2.4 Proficient and Advanced: Perform on an instrument a repertoire of instrumental literature representing various genres, styles, and cultures with expression, technical accuracy, tone quality, and articulation, by oneself and in ensembles (level of difficulty: 4-5 on a scale of 1-6.) 2.5 Proficient and Advanced: Perform on an instrument in small ensembles, with one performer for each part Proficient: Improvise original melodies over given chord progressions. 3.2 Proficient: Explain the various roles that musicians perform, identify representative individuals who have functioned in each role, and explain their activities and achievements. 3.3 Advanced: Compare and contrast the social function of a variety of music forms in various cultures and time periods. 4.2 Evaluate a performance, composition, arrangement, or improvisation by comparing each with an exemplary model. (Extracted from the Visual and Performing Arts Framework for California Public Schools) Final Disclaimer: The LMHS Band Room(Room520) is not intended to serve as locker or storage area for student books and personal belongings, although they are allowed to use the facility as such during school hours. Please note that use of the room as personal storage is done at the student s own risk, and that the instructor can claim no responsibility should items become lost or stolen. Students should also be aware of the agenda and announcement boards, so that they know when the instructor is to leave for the day, so that they may plan accordingly what to take and what to leave, and by what time. Lastly, there will be a container set up to be used as Lost and Found. Both students and instructor should make use of making deposits and withdrawals, should they lose and find items. Please note that items will be disposed of as necessary and after a reasonable amount of time has passed.

6 Period 3- Intermediate Band- 6 Welcome to what I expect to be a wonderful year! We have received, read, and agree to the terms of the prepared Intermediate Band Course Syllabus. Signed, Student Name (Please Print) Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print) Parent/Guardian Signature Date (Intermediate Band)